First India-Mumbai Edition-22nd March 2023

KANNADA ACTOR ARRESTED FOR ‘OBJECTIONABLE’ TWEET ON HINDU

Bengaluru: Popular Kannada actor, Chetan Kumar, also known as Chetan Ahimsa, has been arrested by Bengaluru police following a viral tweet he made about Hindutva. The actor, who is also a Dalit and tribal activist, faces charges of insulting a religion.

ODI WORLD CUP 2023 TO BEGIN ON OCT 5, FINAL NOV 19

New Delhi: The 2023 ODI World Cup will start on October 5 with the final taking place on November 19. The report further stated that the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has shortlisted around 12 venues for the tournament and final will be held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

HUNT FOR AMRITPAL SINGH ENTERS DAY 4

‘80,000 COPS, HE STILL ESCAPED?’

l HC raps Punjab govt, says it big intel failure

l How are all arrested, except Amritpal, asks HC

l The next court hearing slated to be after 4 days

l 3 aides of Amritpal brought to Dibrugarh jail

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday slammed Punjab police and asked them to submit a status report in their operation against Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh.

“You have 80,000 cops. What were they doing?

How did Amritpal Singh escape?” the HC asked Punjab government. The court remarked that this is an intelligence failure of the state’s police. The court’s remarks come amid the Punjab Police action against the Khalistan leader and members of his outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’.

Court asked the state govt ‘how is everyone held, except Singh’. P6

MAHATMA GANDHI’S GRANDDAUGHTER USHA PASSES AWAY

POSSIBLE AVATARS OF AMRITPAL...

From hirsute to clean shaven, Punjab Police on Tuesday released possible avatars or looks of fugitive Amritpal Singh, Khalistani leader on run for last 4 days, and hoping that people could help spot him.

ACTION TAKEN AGAINST ELEMENTS DISTURBING PEACE IN PUNJAB: MANN

Days after crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said action was taken against those who at the instance of foreign forces were speaking about disturbing the state’s peace and giving hate speeches.

NSA INVOKED AGAINST AMRITPAL, PUNJAB GOVT TELLS HC: LAWYER

Punjab government on Tuesday informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the stringent National Security Act has been invoked against radical preacher Amritpal Singh, claimed a lawyer. During a hearing on the habeas corpus petition seeking the preacher’s production in court, Justice N S Shekhawat also pulled up the state govt over Amritpal Singh giving police the slip on Saturday and called it an intelligence failure.

MOBILE INTERNET SERVICES TO RESUME IN SOME DISTRICTS

The Punjab government on Tuesday extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services in Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Moga, Sangrur and Amritsar’s Ajnala sub-division and a few areas in Mohali till Thursday noon.

THAKUR CHANGES HIS MINISTRY’S ‘FORTUNES’, AUCTIONS SLOTS WORTH `1,072 CRORE!

First India Bureau

DELHI BUDGET APPROVED BY MHA, SAY LG OFFICE SOURCES

New Delhi: Sources from the lieutenant governor’s office on Tuesday said Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had approved Delhi govt’s budget for fiscal 2023-24 & communicated it to AAP administration. This comes amid a disagreement between Centre and city govt.

SHAH’S HECTIC 8 DAYS AHEAD IN 4 STATES

Mumbai: Mahatma

Gandhi’s granddaughter

Usha Gokani passed away in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Gokani, 89 years, was ailing for the last five years and was bedridden for last two years, Mani Bhavan executive secretary Meghshyam Ajgaonkar said.

MAHARASHTRA

LOGS 280 NEW nCOV

CASES, 1 DEATH

Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 280 new cases of COVID-19 and one fatality due to the infection, taking the tally to 81,40,145 and toll to 1,48,429, an official from the state health department said. The daily count of cases has more than doubled since Monday, when it reported 128 new cases. According to an official report, with 7,845 swab samples tested in the last 24 hours, the total number of tests conducted across the state rose to 8,65,57,062. Of the latest cases, Pune circle reported the highest 133 infections, followed by 101 from Mumbai, 14 from Nashik, 10 from Kolhapur, 9 from Nagpur, seven cases from Akola and six from Aurangabad. The only casualty of the day was reported from Latur circle, the report said.

New Delhi: Known for his management and pragmatic approach towards any mission that is delegated to him, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur has created a record, of sorts, regarding the revenue collection from DD free dish auction!

Renowned channel

Bharat24 also auctioned for a slot for over `17 cr! Turn to P5

Union Minister for I&B Anurag Thakur speaks to media at the Parliament House on Tuesday.

The Brezza car, in which Amritpal Singh fled, has been recovered by the Police. He was helped by four people. Arms act invoked against 4 who helped Amritpal Singh.

—Sukhchain Singh Gill, Punjab IGP

Restore red notice against Choksi: CBI

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The CBI has asked an Interpol body to restore the Red Notice against fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi terming its earlier decision to drop his name from the list had “serious shortcomings, procedural violations, overreach of mandate and mistakes”.

Dy CM responded after Cong MLA Varsha Gaikwad-whose constituency includes Dharavi-raised queries on the project following allegations of stock manipulation facing the Adani group

First India Bureau Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the Adani group which has won the tender for Dharavi redevelopment will receive the Letter of Intent (LoI) only after it establishes that it has the financial capability to execute the project.

He was replying in the Legislative Assembly after Congress MLA Varsha Gaikwad, whose constituency includes Dharavi, raised

concerns about the project following the allegations of stock manipulation facing the Adani group.

Gaikwad also asked if a fresh tender would be floated for the project.

Fadnavis asserted that the tendering process was transparent. There was a global tender and three parties responded to it. The bids of two parties were proper and the highest bidder among them was awarded the contract, he said.

“So it is incorrect to

HM will inaugurate Sharda Devi temple in Kupwara district of J&K today New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend a series of events in next 8 days for which he will travel to 4 States, including twice to Karnataka, officials said on Tuesday. The home minister will inaugurate the Sharda Devi temple, located in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday through video conference. The temple has been built by the Shri Sringeri Math and Seva Sharda Samiti Kashmir.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks at the 148th Foundation Day of Arya Samaj, at Talkatora Stadium, in Delhi on Tuesday. P5

MARCH 23 Shah will inaugurate a vedic heritage portal and virtual music, based on 64 arts, in New Delhi.

MARCH 24 He will travel to Karnataka where he will attend conference of southern states and UTs & inaugurate various development on drug trafficking and national security in Bengaluru.

MARCH 25 HM will travel to Chhattisgarh where he will attend the 84th raising day celebrations of the CRPF, launch the telecast of a news service by Prasar Bharati at Jagdalpur. He will offer prayers at the Aanchalkund Dada Darbar in Chhindwara, MP.

MARCH 26 Amit Shah will visit Karnataka where he will inaugurate the Gorata martyrs memorial and memorial of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Bidar.

MARCH 28 He will attend the annual day celebrations of the ASSOCHAM in New Delhi.

MARCH 29 Shah will attend the convocation ceremony of 78 Assistant Commandants of the CRPF at the CRPF Academy in Gurugram.

6.6 magnitude quake in Af, tremors scare India and Pak

Jaipur (FIB): Strong earthquake tremors were felt in northern India including DelhiNCR, Rajasthan. As per reports quake of 6.6 mag hit countries including Afghanistan, India, Kazakhstan, Pak, China. Epicenter is believed to be 90 km from Kalafgan in Afghanistan.There was no immediate report of any loss of life. People rush out of their houses as strong earthquake tremors were felt in Jaipur on Tuesday. —

BY

Maharashtra politics going the way of UP, Bihar: MNS prez Raj Thackeray

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray has appealed to youth of the state to stake their claim in reviving politics in Maharastra, or risk letting it go the way of “Uttar Pradesh and Bihar”.

In an interview on Tuesday, the MNS chief called the state of politics here “dirty” and jibed that he would refrain from commenting on the current political scenario in his profile

as a cartoonist.

“A large section of society has gone out of politics. They got tired of the situation here and settled in other countries after seeing

better jobs there. In my mind, they should come back. These things should be taken care of.

Otherwise, the matter will get out of control.

The political situation of Maharashtra will be similar to that of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,” he said.

“Looking at the current politics in Maharashtra, I feel that I am a misfit for politics. I don’t want to say anything as a cartoonist looking at the current situation. Today’s political situation in Ma-

harashtra is very dirty,” he added. He also returned to the issue of loudspeakers in mosques--an issue that seemed to have quieted down in recent months.

“Those who speak about Hindutva, should also show their Hinduism once. If Saudi (Arabia) can stop azaan on loudspeakers, why can’t (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi stop them here. I will present a detailed position on the matter tomorrow,” he said.

LoI only after financial capability is established: Fadnavis

that decision… There is one decision (yet to be made) from the Urban Development department after which the LoI will be issued,” Fadnavis said.

In November 2021, the Adani group emerged as the highest bidder for the 259-hectare Dharavi Redevelopment Project; its winning bid of Rs5,069 crore was more than double that of DLF’s Rs2,025 crore.

given (by the winning firm), Fadnavis said.

This is because it is issued only after all the departments take

The tender mentions that the money would be paid upfront and a bank guarantee will be

“Before issuing the LOI, they (the company which has won the tender) have to show whether they are financially capable, they have to show whether the bank is ready to give them money, and deposit a certain amount in a dedicated account,” the deputy CM said, adding, “If they comply with everything, they can execute the project....If they do not, they will not get the LoI,” he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

MNS president Raj Thackeray

Moni Sharma

PHOTO

SANTOSH SHARMA

K’taka border issue leads to ruckus in Maharashtra Council

Row came after oppn questioned BJP’s silence on southern state’s move to block Maha govt’s benefits to the border villages

First India Bureau Mumbai: The Karnataka government’s decision to block funds allocated by the Maharashtra government for border villages with significant Marathi population located in the southern state led to a ruckus in the Legislative Council here on Tuesday.

The din occurred after Shiv Sena -Uddhav

Balasaheb Thackeray

(UBT) MLC Ambadas

Danve questioned the silence of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra over the Karnataka government’s move.

While deputy chairperson of the Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes to mark the protest, she also observed that the Opposition leaders have behaved “irresponsibly and immaturely”.

Earlier, Danve said

BODY OF 28-YEAROLD MAN FOUND IN PALGHAR DISTRICT

Palghar: Body of a 28-yearold man was discovered in the central park of Nalasopara in Palghar. The body was found lying on a bench by local residents on Monday, who informed the police. The deceased has been identified, and police have registered a case of accidental death. The cause of death is currently under investigation.

BJP legislator draws opposition criticism over address in Hindi

First India Bureau

Minister should issue statement on COVID-19 situation: Gorhe

Mumbai (PTI): Neelam

Gorhe, the Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, on Tuesday said state Health Minister Tanaji Sawant should issue a statement regarding the current status of coronavirus and use of masks.

Gorhe hinted at a recent comment made by the ex-chairperson of the state's COVID-19 task force, Dr. Sanjay Oak, regarding the compulsory use of masks in state.

Mumbai: A Bharatiya

Janata Party legislator sparked a Hindi-Marathi debate in the Maharashtra Legislative Council after he sought to raise a job-related matter by speaking in Hindi. House proceedings are usually conducted in Marathi, the state's official language.

BJP member Shreekant Bharatiya expressed concerns saying some tech companies are issuing only letters of intent to newly recruited employees but delaying their actual joining.

tire House functions in Marathi, what is the reason behind such an act?" In his defence, Bharatiya said, "Hindi is our Rashtra Bhasha' (national language), there is nothing wrong in speaking it." Kayande retorted, "Hindi has not been recognised as Rashtra Bhasha'. He should not provide such wrong information in the House." Parab said, "If someone speaks in Hindi and I fail to understand, it is the responsibility of the speaker to translate it into Marathi."

the Karnataka government is stopping funds worth Rs54 crore meant for health benefits from reaching Marathi people living in border villages.

“The BJP is in power in Karnataka, still no one here in Maharashtra is objecting to this move. The funds are meant for extending health benefits. It is highly condemnable,” the Leader of the Opposition in the Council said.

However, BJP legislators objected to Danve’s remarks. Soon, members from the treasury

CRUCIAL READ

AT THE CRUX

The Eknath Shinde-BJP government recently allocated Rs54 crore for the implementation of the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana in Karnataka’s border villages with a large Marathi-speaking population. Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai has said his government would take measures to stop the Maharashtra government from offering its health insurance scheme in 865 border villages.

benches and the Opposition started arguing loudly over the issue. When Gorhe’s repeated appeals for order bore no fruit, she adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes at around 1.45 pm.

LATUR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION LAUNCHES TAX COLLECTION DRIVE

Latur: The Latur Municipal Corporation has initiated a special drive to collect pending property taxes from citizens. The drive will continue until March 31, with the civic body warning of property seizure for defaulters who fail to pay. The corporation is waiving interest on property tax dues during the special drive. On Monday, the corporation disconnected two water connections in the Latur D zone area for non-payment of property tax.

“To mark the protest against the Karnataka government’s act of blocking the funds, I adjourn the Council for 10 minutes but the opposition leaders have behaved irresponsibly and immaturely,” she

noted. The Eknath ShindeBJP government recently allocated Rs54 crore for the implementation of the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana in Karnataka’s border villages.

Amid criticism by Opposition, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had on Wednesday said his government would take measures to stop the Maharashtra government from offering its health insurance scheme in 865 border villages.

Illicit liquor: Informers’ network on the cards

First

"The state health minister should make a statement in the legislative Council regarding the use of masks. Dr. Oak has already issued a statement asking people to wear masks," Gorhe said.

The House needs to know the current status of coronavirus, its severity, and precautions to be taken to avoid its spread, she said.

The state on Monday recorded 128 new cases of coronavirus that took the tally of infections to 81,39,865, which includes 1,48,428 casualties. While the current active cases stand at 1,364 active cases.

However, Maneesha Kayande and Anil Parab from the Shiv Sena (UBT) objected to it on the grounds that Bharatiya was speaking in Hindi instead of Marathi. Kayande said, "Why is the legislator speaking in Hindi when he himself can speak Marathi well? The en-

The eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution recognises 22 languages. According to Articles 344(1) and 351, these are Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri.

‘Forest man of India' wants tree plantation to be taught at schools

First India Bureau

POLICE

RESCUE THREE WOMEN FROM PROSTITUTION RACKET IN THANE DIST

Thane: Police have rescued three women from a spa center in Kashimira, Thane district, which was being used as a front for a prostitution racket. Two men, who worked as a manager and a sweeper at the facility, were arrested. The owner of the spa center is also facing an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Immortal Trafficking regulations.

KALYAN ZONE OF THANE HAS PENDING POWER BILLS OF `127 CR

Thane: The Kalyan zone of Thane district has pending power bills worth Rs127 crore, according to officials from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company

(MSEDCL). An MSEDCL official said, Rs100.33 crore is pending with 3,31,275 consumers, while Rs27.17 crore is pending with 48,225 others whose electricity sup-

ply has been disconnected for non-payment. He also added that MSEDCL offices will remain open during the weekend before March 31 to facilitate payment of pending bills.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is contemplating setting up a network of informers to check illicit liquor trade, the state legislative Assembly was told. Responding to a question by Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar on Monday, state Excise Minister Shamb huraj Desai list ed various steps being taken by the govt in this regard.

“We plan to set up an in formers’ net work on lines of

DISPLAY OF

one the police have. These informers will give information about illicit liquor trade operating in districts. Those who supply information may also receive monetary rewards," Desai said.

While posing query during question hour, Pawar suggested that the state excise department can have a network of informers to stop illicit liquor trade and a proposal to this effect had been under discussion when he handled the department.

Nagpur: Environmental activist Jadav Payeng, popularly known as the “forest man of India”, has said that children across the globe should be taught to plant trees by schools and to love mother earth. The Padmashri awardee rued that young minds are not taught to love and respect mother earth at schools. "The school curriculum across the world should teach the children to plant trees. Children should get practical knowledge of plantation as it will prove helpful to turn the earth

Jadav Payeng said that young minds are not taught to love and respect mother earth

green. While the new National Education Policy of India has included this aspect, it will take some time to trickle down before it is practised," he told on the sidelines of the C-20 meeting in Nagpur.

Payeng said he and a team of 50 people are working on a project to plant trees on 2,000 hectares at the Majuli island in Assam, which

will provide food to elephants, rhinoceros and deer in the forest. Majuli is a river island in the Brahmaputra river in Assam. Payeng had planted and tended trees on a sandbar of the river Brahmaputra over decades turning it into a forest reserve. The forest, called Molai forest after him, is located near Kokilamukh of Jorhat.

Africa-India joint exercise AFINDEX- 2023 commences in Pune

The joint exercise is in keeping with India’s outreach to Africa, which commenced in 2008 through the India-Africa Summit

First India Bureau

Pune: The second edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX- 2023) between India and 23 nations of the African continent commenced at Foreign Training Node, Aundh, Pune on Tuesday.

According to the official statement, 100 Participants from Botswana, Cameroon,

Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, Senegal, Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, are attending this unique field training exercise. The participants were addressed by Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor, Corps Command-

er, Desert Corps.

The joint exercise is in keeping with India’s outreach to Africa, which commenced in 2008 through the IndiaAfrica Summit and has been thereafter held in 2015 and 2019. The theme of the exercise is focused on Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations, the official statement read.

The improvement of interoperability and operational readiness for UN peacekeeping missions depends on military engagement and cooperation among the participating member

countries.

The objectives of the exercise are to continue

100 PARTICIPANTS

to build upon the initiatives taken to strengthen India - Africa rela-

tions, with a focus on enhancing peace and security, to create op-

portunities to exchange ideas & perspectives, learn from the African

experience in cooperative security and management of security crisis situations as well as to promote a collaborative approach in capacity enhancement of African armies, the press release read. Notably, the Exercise is categorically divided into four phases. Initially, the trainers are trained. This is further followed by a Humanitarian Mine Action and a Peace Keeping Operations Phase; finally, culminating in a validation exercise to assess the results of the training conducted, the release added.

India Bureau

Opposition leaders including Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal protest outside Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution recognises 22 languages. —FILE PHOTO

—PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

Mercury dips as Mum region sees heavy unseasonal rains

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A spell of heavy showers in Mumbai and satellite cities such as Thane, MiraBhayander, and VasaiVirar on Tuesday morning brought down the temperature.

The India Meteorological Department attributed the heavy unseasonal rains to westerly winds and moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea.

The Colaba observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 20.6 °C and Santacruz observatory recorded 21.2 °C—a departure of 2.6 °C and 0.3 °C, respectively—from the normal.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that some parts of Mumbai city and suburbs recorded up to 20-25mm of rain between 7 am and 8 am.

BMC said the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus operations were normal, and that bus routes were not changed due to rain or waterlogging an-

No hike in taxes as Thane gets `4,370 crore budget

First India Bureau Thane: In relief to residents, the Rs4,370 crore budget for fiscal 2023-24 presented by Thane Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bhangar on Tuesday does not propose any hikes in taxes. The budget focuses on cleanliness, healthcare, education and pothole-free roads, the civic chief told reporters, adding that the budget proposes revenue expenditure of Rs2,708.83 crore and capital expenses Rs1,660.00 crore. The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has decided to float bonds worth Rs50 crore in the open market for funds, to take advantage of the 13% government subsidy available on them, he added.

Mandvi fire station 28mm

Memonwada fire station 25mm

Byculla fire station 23mm

BMC headquarters 19mm

Mulund 20mm

Bhandup Complex 19mm

Dahisar fire station 18mm

Chincholi

ywhere in the city. Railway authorities said train services in the city on all three suburban corridors main line, harbour line and west-

ern line were running normally.

“Heavy rain was reported in various sections of the Mumbai division, but trains are

running smoothly,” said Shivaji Sutar, chief public relations officer of Central Railway (CR).

However, commuter associations said trains ran late as the day progressed. Local television channels reported that trains stopped at Sandhurst Road sta-

15,253 teen mothers found in 16 tribal districts in 3 years: Min Lodha

Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has come across

15,253 adolescent mothers in the past three years in 16 tribal-dominated districts of the state, Woman and Child Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha told the Legislative Council on Tuesday.

The minister was responding to a question in the House on child marriages, which is a crime in India.

In a written reply, Lodha said: “In 16 tribal districts in Maharashtra, the number of pregnant girls aged less than 18 years was found to be 15,253 (in past three years). The department has set up a three-member committee to gather this information.”

When asked whether the state had reported more than 15,000 child marriages in the last three years and if it could prevent even 10% of it, Lodha in his written reply said it was “partially” true.

The minister said child marriage is traditional in certain tribes, making it difficult to identify such cases.

The minister admitted that according to the National Family Health Survey, Maharashtra has reported more incidents of child marriage than Kerala.

Between 2019 and 2021, Lodha said, 152 criminal cases have been filed under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of which 136 are in court.

Latur: Timely intervention by government authorities prevented at least three child marriages—one each in Vadval in Chakur tehsil, Bamani village in Deoni tehsil and Budhoda in Ausa tehsil of Latur district—in one day, officials said. The state Women and Child Development Department said the action was taken based on inputs from ChildLine NGO and other sources, an official said on Monday. He said the officials counselled the parents of the three girls and also provided legal assistance.

tions of CR’s Kalyan and Harbour Line for a while due to a technical snag at Ray Road. Meanwhile, trains between Panvel and CST were also running late by half an hour. The schedule of some trains were also changed in Mumbai, channels reported.

Under the Chief Minister Matrutva Surakasha Yojana, Rs12 crore has been set aside to strength-

INFLOW (IN ` CR)

Property tax 761.72

Development funds 565.00

Local bodies tax 1,267.79

Water taxes 225.00

Fire taxes 132.00

Estate income 19.65

en maternity homes, he said.

The capacity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa will be increased from 500 beds to 1,000, he said, adding that Rs10 crore will be provided for the expansion of Vandaniya Balasaheb Thackeray Hospital.

In order to boost the educational infrastructure, the civic body plans to start CBSC schools in its limits, while Rs32 crore has been earmarked for facilities in primary education, he said.

The civic body has allocated Rs77 crore for cluster development works and there are plans to build tenements on government land to accommodate people whose houses will go under redevelopment, he said.

The transport budget of Rs230 crore will include introduction of double-decker buses and additional electric air-conditioned buses, the civic chief said.

The TMC will undertake a mega programme to revamp toilets, which will cover more than 900 toilets in the city.

MAJOR ALLOCATIONS (IN ` CR)

Road repairs 300

Improved water supply 100

Zero garbage programme 80

Woman & child welfare programmes 33

Integrated city beautification work 30

Disability welfare programmes 14

Maintenance of public toilets 10

Amruta Fadnavis extortion case: Cops get custody of ‘bookie’ Anil Jaisinghani

First India Bureau Mumbai: A court here on Tuesday remanded alleged bookie Anil Jaisinghani in police custody till March 27 in a case related to alleged attempt to blackmail and bribe Amruta Fadnavis, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s wife.

The court also extended the police remand of Jaisinghani’s daughter Aniksha Jaisinghani till March 24.

Anil Jaisinghani was nabbed from Gujarat on Monday. He was produced before additional sessions judge DD Almale here on Tuesday.

Mumbai police had on March 16 arrested Aniksha Anil Jaisinghani, a designer, after Amruta Fadnavis accused her of offering a

13 hours & 13 godowns later, Thane fire finally doused

bribe for intervening in a criminal case in which Anil Jaisinghani was involved, and also threatening her.

Aniksha was produced before the court on Tuesday at the end of her initial remand. The court extended her custody as police said it was necessary for further probe.

The father-daughter duo have been booked under Indian Penal Code sections related to criminal conspiracy

FAMILY AFFAIR

and extortion and also under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

First India Bureau Thane: The fire that broke out in a godown complex in the Shil Diva area of Thane district on Monday afternoon was doused after 13 hours on early Tuesday. While no casualties were reported, as many as 13 godowns were reduced to ashes as the storage inventory comprised combustibles including scrap, rubber sheets, wood, plastic, and cardboard, officials said.

The flames were put out by five fire engines and an equal number of water tankers around 4 am on Tuesday, a disaster management cell official said.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Mahim fort free of encroachments; to be restored as tourist attraction

“Aparant” or north Konkan belt of Maharashtra, built the fort somewhere between 1140 and 1241, the release issued by the BMC stated.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The 800-yearold Mahim fort, has now become free of encroachments as more than 200 hutments inside it were demolished, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Monday.

The civic body has announced the appoint-

ment of renowned architect and archaeological consultant Vikas Dilawari as a consultant for the restoration of the fort. According to a press release, the fort will be transformed into a tourist attraction.

The descendants of King Bimbdev, who established his kingdom Mahikawati in

Squatters have reportedly taken over a fort on the west coast of the city for several decades. The fort, which is a state-protected monument under the Maharashtra Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Acts, 1960, has been left without security by the excise department. This has raised con-

The descendants of King Bimbdev had built the fort somewhere between 1140 and 1241

cerns about the safety and preservation of the historical site.

People residing in more than 260 hutments inside the fort were qualified for alternate accommodation in a survey conducted for

the restoration project, the BMC said.

The release said that approximately 3,000 individuals were residing inside the fort. However, they have now been relocated to areas such as Malad and Malvani.

As per the release, some residents had not vacated their huts even after rehabilitation orders and were forcefully removed with the help of the local police who registered complaints against them before the demolition last week.

RAINFALL BY AREA

IMD attributed the wet spell to westerly winds and moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea

Residents of more than 200 hutments qualified for alternate housing in survey conducted before restoration of 800-yr-old monument

3 CHILD MARRIAGES STOPPED IN 1 DAY

Mumbaikars appeared unfazed by the odd weather as they went about their day armed with umbrellas and raincoats. —PHOTOS BY BHSUHAN KOYANDE & PTI

Thane Municipal Corporation. —FILE PHOTO

FOR INDIAN CINEMA…FILM ABHI BAKI HAI

ROBIN ROY

The party has just begun. The night is still young. Indian Cinema was BIG and at the global podium… be it Venice, Berlin or Cannes… Indian Cinema was always credited for its make. However, with the success at the Oscar 2023, fully home-grown Indian Cinema has finally triumphed against all “odds”!

SOME FILMS THAT WON GLOBAL ACCOLADES….

z SANT TUKARAM

(Directed by Vishnupant Govind

Damle and Sheikh Fattelal, 1937)

Bagged special prize at the Venice Film Festival to become the first film to get global recognition

z DO BIGHA ZAMEEN

(Directed by Bimal Roy)

Won the prestigious Prix Internationale at the 1954 Cannes Film festival

z PATHER PANCHALI

(Directed by Satyajit Ray)

Won a number of awards including the Palme d’Or for Best Human Document at the 1956 Cannes Film festival

z MOTHER INDIA

(Directed by Mehboob Khan, 1957)

Nargis won the best actress award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 1958, it was 1st Indian film which was nominated for Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language film

z CHALCHITRO

(Directed by Mrinal Sen, 1981)

Film won the prestigious Alitalia Prize and the film also in the race for the Golden Lion at the 1981 Venice Film Festival

z LAGAAN

(Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, 2001)

Apart from Mother India & Salaam Bombay, Lagaan is the only other film which made it to the final nomination list for the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language film category

Since the Fifties, Indian Cinema has created a ripple in the celluloid world.

Today, we take a look at the baby steps that Indian cinema in general took post-Independence, unknowingly that collectively India would create a niche (albeit small) in the arena of world cinema.

We have several times asked ourselves why was the great dream merchant icon Raj Kapoor so popular in Russia? The answer is perhaps the optimism of the charismatic actor that inspired Russians to brave through their troubled times.

In the early fifties, just after the devastating war with Germany, the country was still in ruins and people were poor and their lives were full of privations and shortages. But when they saw greater hardships being faced by the poor from India and too with a smile, it boosted their sagging optimism.

So, after watching Awara and Shri 420, Raj Kapoor became a symbol of hope and optimism for the people of Soviet Union.

Also, the common man shares perhaps the same spiritual values as perhaps all Indian movies gives the message of ‘victory of good over evil’. This is perhaps the yearn-

ing of every downtrodden soul in the world and it is so eternally bonded.

Believe it or not, in the late Eighties this anecdote reveals exactly how big B Subhash’s Disco Dancer was in Russia. When the then USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev visited New Delhi, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi introduced Amitabh Bachchan as the ‘biggest superstar from India’, but Gorbachev apparently said, “But my daughter only knows Mithun Chakraborty.”

After Disco Dancer’s release in Soviet Union theatres in 1984, Disco Dancer grossed a whopping $76 million in that country. For the record, that is $100 million more than what Padmaavat grossed worldwide. Mithun Chakraborty -starrer Disco Dancer was the highest grossing foreign film in the Soviet Union!

BUT THESE WERE IN BITS AND PIECES… Pather Panchali was released in Basusree, a Cal-

HINDU GROUPS’ CALL FOR ECONOMIC BOYCOTT T

here has been a spurt in antiMuslim sentiment in Maharashtra with Hindutva organisations and some BJP leaders supporting rallies organised over the last four months.

At these gatherings the Hindutva leaders have been calling for an economic boycott of Muslims to push them to penury.

Early this week right wing organisations held a rally at Mumbai’s Mira Road under the Jan Aakrosh Morcha where leaders spoke of Islamic aggression in the form of love jihad, land jihad and conversion. They

OUR NATION’S “RAY” OF HOPE...

Avenue Playhouse in New York.WB govt which produced the film earned a profit of $50,000 from its initial US release, and decades later the film grossed $402,723 from its 2015 limited release.

Lagan, on its part, made it to a close call at cinema’s biggest stage in the world, but missed chance to make the cut. Even as the maestro Ray received the Lifetime Achievement from Oscar, home-gown Indian cinema (as I termed it earlier in this column) had to wait in general for some more time before Naatu Naatu & “Trunk Call” of The Elephant Whisperers made it big at Academy Awards.

RISE AND RISE OF SOUTH FILMS

While Indians did win Oscars in the past, this win was special as it was for the first time that an Indian production and film won the Academy Award. ‘The Slumdog Millionaire’ that won the Best Original Song in 2009 was a predominantly British production. The Naatu Naatu fever had gripped people across the world and the dance sequence have had millions of views on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

As India celebrates its historic wins at the Oscar, here's a look at the global icon Satyajit Ray, whose films, literature and art continue to have an impact on audiences across the world. Ray (1921-1991), polymath, polyglot, novelist, short-story writer, illustrator, designer and music composer, was one of the most eminent film directors of world cinema. His 'Pather Panchali' (Song of the Little Road, 1955) established his position as a major film director, winning him the earliest of the many awards that he was to win throughout his career, culminating in the Lifetime Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Oscars in 1992. The award, which he could not receive in person because he was ailing, was given to him "in recognition of his rare mastery of the art of motion pictures and for his profound humanitarian outlook, which has had an indelible influence on filmmakers and audiences throughout the world."

cutta cinema on August 26, 1955 and received a poor initial response. The screenings started filling up within a week or two,

buoyed by word of mouth. It opened again at another cinema, where it ran for seven weeks. A delay in subtitling led to postpone-

ment of the UK release till Dec 1957. It went on to achieve great success in the US in 1958, running for eight months at Fifth

There has been a spurt in antiMuslim sentiment in Maharashtra with Hindutva organisations and some BJP leaders supporting rallies organised over the last four months. At these gatherings, the Hindutva leaders have been calling for an economic boycott of Muslims to push them to penury

specifically targeted the Naya Nagar locality in Mira Road for its sizeable 97-98 percent Muslim population. The speakers referred to the Muslims as jihadis and asked “where will Hindus seek refuge”.

Kajal Hindustani, one of the speakers, explained that the economic boycott of Muslims is one weapon the use of which “cannot be stopped by the political leaders, the Supreme Court

or even the media”. Although Maharashtra’s BJP government has distanced itself from these rallies, those present at Mira Road included BJP MLA Nitesh Rane, local BJP leaders and members of VHP and Bajrang Dal. Rane said he supported calls for an economic boycott of Muslims.

The Hindu hardliners think that call for economic boycott will not attract censor but it also amounts to hate against a community just as calling Muslims jihadis and issuing open threats to the community members do. The economic boycott would tantamount to a social boycott of Muslims. The Jan Aakrosh Morcha’s rallies pose a threat to harmonious coexistence. On the Supreme Court’s orders the speeches are being recorded by the police. Action will follow based on legal advice.

This year’s unprecedented night at the Academy Awards is a manifestation of years of cerebral and emotive filmmaking without the expectation of any recognition from the West. In recent times, thanks to technology and money power, India has taken major strides in globally communicating through its popular medium of cinema and Films like Kantara (Telugu), RRR (Telugu), Pariyerum Perumal (Tamil), Sairat (Marathi) Mandela (Tamil), and Asuran (Tamil) & The Elephant Whisperers have been enough proof of this trend which has finally arrived. It is not that Indian cinema has not received recognition in the past from the Academy. But the recent bumper successes signify the Indian timetested interests in equality, fraternity, human liberty and justice. These films and recognition will take Indian cinema to the global stage where these pieces of art actually belong. After years of sustainable efforts, despite being shunned several times, people have sat up and noticed our mettle.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

TOP TWEETS

Narendra Modi @narendramodi

Navroz Mubarak! On this auspicious occasion, I pray for the happiness and good health of everyone. May the year ahead bring greater prosperity and further the spirit of togetherness in our society.

Jagat Prakash Nadda @JPNadda

Greetings to everyone on the joyous occasion of Navroz, may it bring new beginnings and fresh opportunities to all. Wishing everyone a blessed Parsi New Year!

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.

Buddha

The writer is Senior Journalist and former Managing Editor, First India

BOTH HOUSES ADJOURNED TILL

THURSDAY AMID RUCKUS AGAIN

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned again with the Opposition demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe (JPC) probe into the Adani issue, and BJP demanding an “unambiguous apology” from Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in the UK that democracy in India is “under attack” Meanwhile, Opposition MPs protested from the first floor of the Parliament House building on Tuesday, demanding that a Joint Parliamentary Committee be constituted to look into the allegations of fraud and stock manipulation against the Adani Group.

“Maharshi Dayanand gave first call for independence”

New Delhi (PTI):

Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati fearlessly propagated “swadharma, swabhasha and swaraj” in the pre-independence era when talking about these was prohibited.

Lok

RAHUL IS PRESENT-DAY MIR JAFAR OF INDIAN POLITY:

BJP IS JUST A TENANT, NOT OWNER

DEMOCRACY: CONG

OF

BJP

New Delhi: The BJP on Tuesday dubbed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the “presentday Mir Jafar of Indian polity” who went overseas seeking help from foreign forces to become a ‘nawab’ in India. Stepping up its attack on Ganhi over his democracy in danger remark in London, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra reiterated the demand for an apology. “It would not be an aberration to say that Rahul Gandhi is a present-day Mir Jafar of Indian polity. What he has done in London is the same thing that Mir Jafar did,” Patra said.

EXCISE POLICY CASE

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday said the ruling BJP is just a tenant and not the owner of democracy and asserted that holding the govt to account does not amount to criticising the nation. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that the BJP was resorting to “theatrics” and “drama” to divert country’s attention from the Adani issue. He said the BJP will be seen as “Jai Chands” in history and claimed its ideological forefathers were known apologisers of the British, after the BJP attacked Rahul Gandhi as “Mir Jafar”.

Destruction of evidence constant practice, CBI tells Delhi court

New Delhi (Agencies):

A Delhi court on Tuesday listed, for March 25, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s bail matter in connection with the now-scrapped excise policy case being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Special Judge MK Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court asked the probe agency to file written submissions and relevant judgments.

Appearing for CBI, Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh said: “It’s

PM Modi in TN on

April 8 to inaugurate railway projects

Chennai: Prime Minis-

ter Narendra Modi will visit Chennai on April 8 and inaugurate railway projects, worth Rs 294 crore, including the Chennai-Kovai Vande Bharat express and Tambaram-Sengottai Express. The visit of the PM was announced by the state Public Relations Department on Tuesday but the full details of his itinerary was not yet available.

PM Modi had visited Tamil Nadu on November 11, 2022 to participate in the Gandhigram Trust’s platinum jubilee celebrations at Dindigul.

not only the mobile phones, files were also destroyed.” The CBI opposed Sisodia’s bail plea, saying that this will compromise and scuttle their investigation.

NO INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE FOUND, MANISH SISODIA

TELLS COURT

New Delhi: Ex-Delhi Deputy

CM Manish Sisodia on Tuesday told a court he has cooperated with the CBI investigation into the excise scam case and none of the searches have revealed any incriminating material against him.

Sisodia’s counsel, making submissions on his bail plea said his custodial interrogation was no longer required and he was not a flight risk.

“I am public servant but two other public servants, against whom allegations are graver have not been arrested,” his counsel contended.

Didi reaches Odisha, to meet CM Patnaik

Bhubaneswar (Agencies): West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) President Mamata Banerjee arrived in Odisha on Tuesday on a three-day visit.

Banerjee arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport where she was received Odisha’s Minister of State for Home and Sports, Tusharkanti Behera.

Soon after landing, she left for Puri by road with a police escort.

She is scheduled to meet Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Odisha Chief Minister

Naveen Patnaik here on March 23.

“Naveen Patnaik Ji is our senior leader. I will meet him,” Banerjee told reporters at the airport. She also informed that she will offer prayer at Lord Jagannath temple in Puri.

BJP world’s most important party: Wall Street Journal

New Delhi (ANI): The BJP is the world’s most important foreign political party and it may also be the least understood according to an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal authored by Walter Russell Mead.

“India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is, from the standpoint of American national interests, the most important foreign political party in the world. It may also be the least understood,” the WSJ piece read. BJP, after successive victories

in 2014, and 2019 is also headed for a repeat victory in 2024, the publication stated, adding that, India is emerging both as a leading economic power and, along with Japan, as the linchpin of American strategy in

Thakur changes...

Under Thakur’s leadership, a total of 65 channels took part in the auction and a revenue collection of Rs 1,072 crore was generated by the Ministry

New Delhi: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday accused the Opposition of willfully stalling Parliament with its “irresponsible” comments and “unfounded” allegations to mislead the country amid global recognition of PM Narendra Modi’s leadership. Goyal, joined by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, accused the Opposition of repeatedly insulting Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar by refusing to even meet him. Even on Tuesday, some parties including Congress did not attend the meeting called by him, he said.

through auction to these channels. Notably, in the year 2022, the revenue collection was only Rs 657 crore. In fact, such was the excitement around the auction that even

By establishing the Arya Samaj, Maharshi Dayanand awakened the soul of the country which had been in slumber for years and was the first one after Ved Vyas to bring the Vedas back to their original form, Shah said at its 148th Foundation Day. In the pre-independence era when talking about “swadharma, swabhasha and swaraj” was prohibited, Maharshi Dayanand fearlessly propagated these in the country, he said. Shah said that in

FROM PG 1

though it was held on weekend - Saturday and Sunday - the auction received widespread participation.

Moreover, on Sunday itself, 13 slots were auctioned while on

It is matter of pride for me that I was born in the region from where Maharshi Dayanand came. When the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we must know it was Maharshi who had given the first call for Independence. —Amit Shah, Union Home Minister

spite of having Gujarati as his mother tongue and expertise in Sanskrit, he chose Hindi for his writings. Shah said PM Narendra Modi has

taken inspiration from the life of Dayanand Saraswati to take the country forward on the path of making it a “vishwa guru”.

Saturday, 14 slots were auctioned. Renowned channel Bharat24 also auctioned for a slot for over Rs 17 crore!

Thus, probably for the first time in the

history of DD FREE DISH, such a huge revenue jump has been registered and as a result, individuals associated with the media industry are congratulating Anurag Thakur!

the Indo-Pacific.

“For the foreseeable future the BJP will be calling the shots in a country without whose help American efforts to balance rising Chinese power are likely to fall short,” it added.

Opposition MPs raise slogans in

Sabha demanding a JPC probe into the Adani issue, on Tuesday.

Union HM Amit Shah during the 148th Foundation Day of Arya Samaj, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Guj Guv Acharya Devvrat also seen.

Manish Sisodia being taken to the court. —FILE

WB CM Mamata Banerjee

CAR IN WHICH WPD CHIEF FLED FOUND

Chandigarh (ANI):

Fugitive pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh used several vehicles and changed his outfits while he was fleeing the police net during the crackdown on Saturday.

As the hunt to arrest

Khalistan sympathiser

Amritpal Singh is underway, Punjab IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill addressed the media and said the Brezza car, in which Amritpal Singh fled, has been recovered by the police.

He said Arms Act has been invoked against four people who helped him. “An important fact has come to light that Amritpal Singh, after fleeing, visited the Gurudwara in Nangal Ambian village (in Jalandhar district) and changed his clothes before fleeing again. This came to be known in questioning of the four people who have been nabbed.”

Giving update, he said, “National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against Amritpal Singh. A non-bailable warrant has been issued against him on March 18.”

“Police is working as per law. People have suspicions, but the prime accused (Amritpal Singh) has not been arrested yet. As soon as the arrest is made, we will inform you,” he concluded.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Punjab and Hary-

RAF, POLICE TAKE OUT FLAG MARCH IN JALANDHAR

Jalandhar: Amid the crackdown against Amritpal Singh, the Punjab Police and Rapid Action Force conducted a flag march to maintain the law and order at the PNB Chowk in Punjab’s Jalandhar on March 21. The security in the area has been tightened. Punjab Police launched the operation against Amritpal and his aides on March 18.

ana High Court slammed the Punjab police and questioned how Amritpal Singh had given them the slip repeatedly. “You have 80,000 cops. What were they doing. How did Amritpal Singh es-

Dibrugarh: Three more associates of radical preacher Amritpal Singh, including his uncle Harjit Singh, were brought to the high security Dibrugarh jail on Tuesday, an Assam Police official said. Altogether seven members linked to Amritpal Singh’s ‘Waris Punjab De’ (WPD) have been brought here since March 19, including Harjit Singh who was brought on Tuesday.Two WPD members identified as Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal and Gurinder Pal Singh were brought here by a flight from Delhi and whisked to the Dibrugarh Central Jail amidst tight security later in the day , the official said. Harjit Singh was moved to the Dibrugarh jail by road from Guwahati. A cavalcade of seven security vehicles took Harjit Singh from the Guwahati airport to the Dibrugarh Central Jail.

cape?,” the High Court asked the Punjab government. The court called it an intelligence failure.The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) instructed the chiefs of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Sa-

Indian envoy in Canada cancels event due to security concerns

Toronto (PTI): An event to be attended by the Indian envoy to Canada in British Columbia province had to be cancelled due to security concerns after a violent protest by Khalistan supporters. The event had been organised on Sunday at the Taj Park Convention Centre Surrey to welcome the high commissioner of India, Sanjay Kumar Verma’s first visit to the west coast. The event was ultimately cancelled for security reasons, Global News, the news and current affairs division of the Canadian Global Television Network, reported.High Commissioner Verma was scheduled to

RADICALS HECKLE INDIAN-ORIGIN JOURNALIST KAUSHAL

Sanjay Kumar Verma

attend the event.

Indian-origin journalist Sameer Kaushal, who was at the venue to cover the protest, was also assaulted by protesters. Kaushal, said when he arrived at the venue, he found a large protest and said demonstrators would not allow him to access the event.

MAN BOOKED FOR SUPPORTING AMRITPAL SINGH

Udham Singh Nagar: Amid ongoing crackdown against ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh carried out by the Punjab Police, the police in the nearby state of Uttarakhand has also registered a case in Mandhi Chowki police station of Udham Singh Nagar district for sharing a post in support of Amritpal Singh, said the police.

shastra Seema Bal (SSB) to be vigilant in the international border regions of Punjab, India-Nepal, among others, in an effort to halt Amritpal Singh’s escape. The development

took place Punjab Police on March 18 launched a statewide search operation to nab Amritpal Singh and his close aides who attempted to disrupt the law and order situation in the state.

2 more aides of Amritpal being brought to Dibrugarh Central Jail amid tight security, in Dibrugarh, on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Chandigarh (Agencies):

Asserting that the state is in safe and firm hands, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said severest of severe action is being taken against those conspiring to disturb peace, amity, communal harmony and brotherhood in the state. In a video message, the Chief Minister said Punjab symbolises peace and progress as from this sacred land the great Sikh gurus have given the message of universal brotherhood

MAOISTS TORCH VEHICLES AT BRICK KILN IN JHARKHAND

Medininagar: Five tractors at a brick kiln were set ablaze by LWEs in Maoist-affected in extremist-hit Palamu district, a police official said. A group of about 40 armed members of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) forced their way to the kiln at Kanda village on Monday night and took away several workers as hostages before they torched the tractors, Palamu superintendent of police Chandan Kumar Sinha said. The Maoists, who had their faces covered, fled the scene after the crime. It is suspected that the incident took place to extort money, he said.

GUJ: DOLPHINS’ POCHING SHOCKS FOREST OFFICIALS

and well-being of every section to the people. He said right from the national freedom struggle to making the country self-reliant in foodgrain production and then in safeguarding the borders of the nation, people of Punjab have always led the country in every field during the crisis. Mann said people of Punjab are known for extending helping hand to anyone who is in trouble adding that this land has shown the path of love and peace to the world.

KEJRIWAL LAUDS MANN FOR MAINTAINING LAW & ORDER AMID HUNT FOR AMRITPAL

New Delhi (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday lauded Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for maintaining the law and order situation in Punjab amid the ongoing hunt against the Khalistani radical Amritpal Singh. While addressing the mediapersons, Kejriwal said, “I want to congratulate Punjab CM hagwant Mann for maintaining the law and order situation in a patient and mature way.”

Gandhinagar: Days after 10 fishermen from other states were nabbed for poaching dolphins and sharks off Gujarat coast, state Forest Department has decided to conduct regular patrolling in the coastal waters. It will be done in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police and Customs, Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera said in Assembly on Tuesday. Congress MLA Arjun Modhwadia sought to know what steps state govt was taking to save species.

AP COP FETED FOR SAVING WOMAN FROM DROWNING

Amaravati: A police constable was feted by the Andhra Pradesh government for gallantly rescuing a woman who jumped into the Godavari river to commit suicide recently. Andhra Pradesh director general of police (DGP) K. V. Rajendranath Reddy felicitated constable Angani Veerababu from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district on Monday for this act with a cash award as well.“Veerababu’s name has also been recommended for ‘Prime Minister’s Police Medal for Life Saving’,” said an official in a statement on Monday night.

Surrey (Candada): Sameer Kaushal , an Indian-origin journalist in Canada, was heckled by pro-Khalistan protesters in Surrey, British Columbia on Monday evening.

Kaushal, in a Twitter post, said he was in Surrey to cover the Indian High Commissioner’s visit when a pro-Khalistani group threatened and roughed him up.

“The Surrey RCMP [police] remained mute spectators to this whole affair, even as the protest turned violent. Instead of stopping them, the police kept asking me to leave for my own safety,” Sameer Kaushal tweeted.

WORLD-CLASS

Visitors at Tulip Garden after it reopened for the public, in Srinagar on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

India gets Asia’s largest 4-mtre ILMT

First India Bureau

Devasthal: Union Minister of State (MoS) Dr

Jitendra Singh on Tuesday inaugurated Asia’s largest 4-metre International Liquid Mirror Telescope at Devasthal in Uttarakhand in the presence of Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmeet Singh.

Speaking after the launch, Dr Singh said, it is primarily the patronage, promotion and prioritization from PM

Narendra Modi that has enabled and emboldened the scientific fraternity to successfully try new initiatives, one after the

other, in the field of science, technology and innovation, which are being rated as world class. Not only PM Modi has

given us the motivation to move ahead but also given the freedom to explore hitherto lesser explored areas like Space which has been opened up for private players or India’s oceans whose vast resources are waiting to be unfolded.

Today’s landmark event, Dr Singh said, places India at a different and a much higher level of capabilities to study the mysteries of the skies and astronomy, and to share the

same with the world.

Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) announced that the world-class 4-metre International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT) is now ready to explore the deep celestial sky. It achieved its first light in the 2nd week of May 2022. The telescope is located at an altitude of 2450 metre at the Devasthal Observatory campus of ARIES, an autonomous institute.

14 COWS KILLED IN TELANGANA ROAD ACCIDENT

Hyderabad: Fourteen cows were killed when a bus rammed a cattle herd in Nalgonda district on Tuesday. The accident occurred on Addanki-Narketpally highway near Buggabavigudem village.The coming to Hyderabad from Chennai hit the cattle herd when it was crossing the road.The coming to Hyderabad from Chennai hit the cattle herd when it was crossing the road.The farmer has suffered a loss of Rs 7 lakh.

MoU to enrich lives of 70,000 rural women & small farmers

First India Bureau

Patna: A new partnership between HarvestPlus and Heifer International (Heifer) will enrich the diets and lives of 70,000 rural women and smallholder farmers in Bihar.

HarvestPlus and Heifer will work to improve the nutrition and income generation potential of rural women and smallholder farmers.

“Heifer International believes that ending hunger and poverty begins

with agriculture, and smallholder farmers are at the heart of this effort.

their income, improve their families’ nutrition, and provide more food for the local marketplace, and leading to an end to hunger and poverty in Bihar,” said Mahendra Lohani, Sr Vice Prez, Asia, Heifer.

Punjab Police said that Amritpal visited Gurdwara and changed clothes before fleeing again; Police said that Amirtpal was helped by four people and they have been booked under the Arms Act, hunt is on for Amritpal

Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel flag march amid crackdown against ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh and his aides, in Jalandhar, on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

WILL TAKE SEVEREST ACTION AGAINST THOSE CONSPIRING TO DISTURB PEACE: PUNJAB CM

Heifer’s Surita Sandosham poses with rural women from Bihar.

THREE MORE ASSOCIATES OF AMRITPAL BROUGHT TO DIBRUGARH CENTRAL JAIL

MoS Dr Jitendra Singh

GOLD PLUNGES BY `470/10 GM; SILVER DECLINES `420/KG

CUSHION IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

GDP at 7%; inflation to level out

New Delhi: Gold price plunged by `470 to `59,480 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday amid weak global trends, according to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the yellow metal had closed at `59,950 per 10 grams. Silver also declined `420 to `68,550 per kilogramme. “Spot gold prices in the Delhi markets traded at `59,480 per 10 grams, down `470 per 10 grams,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said. —PTI

INDIAFIRST LIFE INSURANCE GETS SEBI’S NOD FOR IPO

New Delhi (PTI): Indian economy is expected to grow at 7% in FY23 despite global headwinds while retail inflation would moderate in line with wholesale inflation which fell to a 25-month low in January, the Finance Ministry said.

Supported by the gains from high services exports, the moderation in oil prices, and the recent fall in import-intensive consumption demand, India’s current account deficit is estimated to fall in FY23 and FY24, providing a buffer to the rupee in uncertain times, Monthly Economic Review by the ministry said. This will provide a muchneeded cushion to India’s external sector at a time

RE capacity reaches 168.96

GW till Feb 2023

New Delhi: Bank of Baroda promoted IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company (IndiaFirst Life) has received capital markets regulator Sebi’s approval to float Initial Public Offering (IPO). The IPO comprises a fresh issue of up to `500 crore along with an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 14,12,99,422 equity shares by the promoters and existing shareholders of the company. Bank of Baroda will sell 8,90,15,734 equity shares. —PTI

NMDC HIKES IRON

ORE LUMP RATE BY `100 PER TONNE

New Delhi (PTI): India’s total installed renewable energy capacity touched 168.96 GW mark by February 2023-end, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

Out of the total 168.96 GW, 64.38 GW is solar power capacity, 51.79 GW hydro, 42.02 GW wind and 10.77 GW bio power, R K Singh, Union Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy, said. Another 82.62 GW of green energy capacity is under implementation and 40.89 GW of capacity is under various stages of tendering, he said.

A total of 3,16,754.86 MU of electricity has been generated from renewable energy sources.

when the Fed is likely to raise rates further and ensure that India’s external finances are not a major cause of concern, it said.

The jump in net service exports over the previous year is a critical development as India increases its

TOP TALKING POINTS

z Indian economy is expected to grow at 7% in FY23 despite global headwinds while retail inflation would moderate in line with wholesale inflation which fell to a 25-month low in January

z India’s current account deficit is estimated to fall in FY23 and FY24

Govt not in favour of putting caps on airfares: Bansal

is likely to receive a further boost in FY23 as the current account deficit is set to narrow from the year-beginning estimates, it added. With regard to growth, the report said, real GDP estimates for Q3 of 2022-23 reaffirm the ability of the Indian economy to grow on the strength of its domestic demand even as a rise in global uncertainties slows global output.

market share in both IT and non-IT services, whose demand has been triggered by the pandemic, it said, adding, imports are also less costly now with the easing of global commodity prices.

“With a manageable current account deficit and a

growth rate highest among the major economies in FY23, the Indian economy has shown a new-found resilience in sailing through the turbulence caused by the pandemic and geopolitical stress,” it said. Macroeconomic stability

India’s 1.7% spend on transport upgrade to set stage for $5 tn eco

New Delhi (PTI): India will spend a whopping 1.7% of its GDP on transport infrastructure this year -- around twice the level in America and most European countries -- a feat that has been noticed even by The Economist which called it ‘eyewatering’ upgrade that will set stage to achieve a $5 trillion economy.

The Modi government has allocated ` 2.4 lakh crore for railways capital expenditure, nine times higher than the amount in the financial year 2013-14. The funds will mostly be spent on building tracks, new coaches, electrification, and developing facili-

ties at stations.

Allocation for roads has jumped 36% to ` 2.7 lakh crore for 2023-24. There is also the focus on reviving 50 additional airports, heliports, water aerodromes and advance landing grounds for improving re-

Sensex, Nifty rebound nearly 1%

New Delhi: State-owned NMDC on Tuesday said it has hiked price of iron ore lumps by `100 to `4,500 per tonne with immediate effect. The country’s largest iron ore miner has also increased rate of iron ore fines by `200 to `4,110/tonne, NMDC said. The prices are effective from Tuesday and exclude royalty, district mineral fund (DMF), National Mineral Exploration Trust (DMET), cess, forest permit fee and other taxes, the company said. Lump ore or high-grade iron ore contains 65.53% Fe (iron), while fines are inferior grade ore with 64% and less Fe content. —PTI

HONDA TO LAUNCH NEW CAR EVERY YR TILL 2028 IN INDIA

Mumbai (PTI): Benchmark Sensex and Nifty rebounded nearly 1% at close on Tuesday amid firm trends in global equities and buying in index major Reliance Industries and banking stocks.

The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 445.73 points or 0.77% to settle at 58,074.68.

During the day, it rallied 504.38 points or 0.87% to 58,133.33. The broader NSE Nifty advanced 119.10 points or 0.70% to settle at 17,107.50.

Among the Sensex stocks, Reliance Industries climbed the most by 3.11% Bajaj Finance, Titan, Axis

SAYS JK TYRE MD

Kolkata: Japanese car maker Honda will introduce one new product every year for the next three to five years to raise its market share in the Indian market, a company official said. Honda Cars India presently has two models in the country, a compact sedan and a sedan. “We are going to launch one new model every year for the next three to five years. These could be either new models or variants”, a Honda Cars official said. —PTI

Bank, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finserv, IndusInd Bank, UltraTech Cement, Larsen

& Toubro, HDFC Bank, HDFC and Kotak Mahindra Bank were among the other major winners.

Power Grid, Hindustan Unilever, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Infosys and Asian Paints were among the biggest laggards. In Asia, Seoul, Hong Kong and Shanghai markets ended higher.

` FALLS 10 PAISE TO 82.66 AGAINST US $

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee depreciated by 10 paise to 82.66 against the US dollar on Tuesday amid a rise in crude oil prices and unabated foreign fund outflows from the domestic equity market. At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened strong at 82.54 against the dollar. During the day, it went as high as 82.53 and hit the lowest level of 82.70. It finally settled at 82.66 (provisional) against the American currency, registering a fall of 10 paise against its previous close.

gional air connectivity.

The unprecedented infrastructural makeover at such sheer scale and speed will help India fulfil its ambition to turn into a $5 trillion economy by 2025-26, up from $3.5 trillion today, The Economist said in its issue.

6 Indian start-ups among world’s top 100 unicorns

New Delhi (FIB): India, which has the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, is home to 6 of the world’s top 100 unicorns, according to a report released by the Credit Suisse Research Institute on Tuesday.

The 6 Indian startups that feature on the global top 100 unicorns’ list includes BYJU’s, Swiggy, OYO Rooms, Dream11, Razorpay, and Ola Cabs. Valued at $22 billion at the end of December 2022, edtech platform BYJU’s is India’s most valued startup and world’s 12th.

Domestic tyre industry back on growth path

New Delhi (PTI): Domestic tyre industry is expected to witness double-digit growth next fiscal with the automobile industry back on full swing, JK Tyre Chairman and MD Raghupati Singhania said.

JK Tyre, which on Tuesday introduced a tyre brand -- Levitas Ultra -- to cater to the luxury car segment, is also expected to follow the industry growth path and report a doubledigit sales growth next financial year, he noted.

“Tyre industry had undergone a bit of a rough patch in the last couple of

years back when the auto industry was in a bit of a slowdown due to Covid and all that... Now with the eco-

nomic activity improving the tyre industry is coming back on full swing,” Singhania said. He noted that

Indian economy witnessed a growth of 4.4% in the third quarter that ended in December 2022.

Growth momentum gathered in Q3 of 2022-23 is likely to be sustained in Q4, as reflected in the performance of High-Frequency Indicators for January/ February 2023, it said.

New Delhi (PTI): The government is not in favour of interfering in a free market economy by putting caps on airfares, Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Bansal said on Tuesday amid concerns over possible predatory pricing of air tickets.

“Fundamentally, putting (fare) caps and interfering in the market economy is not good and we are not in favour of it. We are not in favour of putting lower or upper caps. I don’t think the government should interfere in a free market economy at all...,” he said.

Windfall tax on diesel export hiked to `1/L

New Delhi (PTI): The government has hiked the windfall profit tax on export of diesel to `1 per litre while the levy on domestically produced crude oil has been cut by a fifth, according to an official order.

The levy on crude oil produced by companies such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been reduced to `3,500 per tonne from ` 4,400 per tonne, the order dated March 20 said.

The government raised the tax on export of diesel to `1 per litre from Rs 0.50, and the same on overseas shipments of ATF remains at nil.

OTHER STORIES

The new tax rates come into effect from March 21, the order said. Crude oil pumped out of the ground and from below the seabed is refined and converted into fuels like petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). The tax rates are reviewed every fortnight based on average oil prices in the previous two weeks.

AT `10.89 LAKH, HYUNDAI’S NEW VERNA HOTS UP COMPETITION IN MID-SIZE SEDAN

SEGMENT

New Delhi: Hyundai Motor India on Tuesday introduced a new version of its mid-sized sedan Verna in the country priced between `10.89 lakh and `17.37 lakh (ex-showroom), hotting up the competition in the segment. The new Verna competes with the likes of Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Virtus and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz in the domestic market. The 1.5 litre trims of the 6th generation Verna are priced between `10.89 lakh and Rs 16.19 lakh while the 1.5 litre turbo petrol variants, which come with enhanced power, are priced between `14.83 lakh and `17.37 lakh (all prices ex-showroom). —PTI

INDIA EXPLOITED 29% OF HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL: POWER MIN

New Delhi: India has exploited 29% of its hydropower potential against over 80% and 70% developed by the US and European Union respectively, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHT

z According to JK Tyre Chairman and Managing Director, Tyre industry had undergone a bit of a rough patch in the last couple of years back when the auto industry was in a bit of a slowdown due to Covid and all that... Now with the economic activity improving the tyre industry is coming back on full swing

demand remains strong across most segments of the domestic automobile industry.

TURKISH AIRLINES LOOKING FOR COOPERATION WITH AI

The assessed hydropower potential in the country is about 1,45,320 MW (for projects with capacity above 25 MW), Power Minister R K Singh said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Singh said that 42,104.6 MW (29%) out of 1,45,320 MW has been developed and 15,023.5 MW (10.3%) is under construction.

—PTI

New Delhi: Turkish Airlines is looking for cooperation with Air India as the carrier looks to expand in the Indian market. At present, Turkish Airlines is closely cooperating with IndiGo. Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Eksi pitched for more cooperation with Indian carriers and said that it can cooperate with Air India as that will also support both counties as well as tourism. “We are not getting enough (of Indian market)... We are trying to expand. This is the time for Turkish Airlines to expand operations in India,” he said. —PTI

UNTIMELY RAINS, HAIL NOT IMPACTED STANDING RABI CROPS MUCH:

AGRICULTURE MINISTER

New Delhi: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday said there is not much impact on standing rabi crops like wheat due to the current untimely rains and hailstorm, as per preliminary report.

“There is not much impact on rabi crops as per the preliminary assessment. We are yet to receive a ground report from the state governments,” Tomar said.

Wheat is the main rabi crop, harvesting of which is underway in some states. Mustard and chickpea are other major rabi crops. —PTI

— Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

Raut objects to Assembly disciplinary panel, calls it against ‘parl democracy’

MP bypasses panel, sends reply directly to Speaker Narwekar in breach of privilege inquiry

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Shiv SenaUddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has termed the Legislative Assembly’s disciplinary panel “against natural justice and parliamentary democracy”.

The 15-member breach of privilege committee was formed after Bharatiya Janata Party leader Atul Bhatkhalkar submitted a breach of privilege notice to Speaker Rahul Narwekar after the Thackeray camp MP allegedly called the “vidhimandal” (legislature) a “chormandal” (a body of thieves), upsetting lawmakers across party lines.

The privilege committee members served a breach of privilege notice to Raut and also asked him to file a reply to them in the incident.

In response to the notice, Raut earlier bypassed the privilege committee and sent his reply in a letter directly to the Speaker.

In his reply to the

Farmers up in arms over Min’s visit to affected area

First India Bureau

Nashik: Many districts have been hit hard due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms, leaving farmers in a financial crisis. While the question was being raised as to who will assess the loss of the farmers, Agriculture Minister Abdul Sattar visited Niphad taluka of Nashik district on Tuesday evening.

However, the visit had farmes asking what the minister--who arrived after dusk--could inspect in the dark.

According to the claims of farmers, the Agriculture Minister did not take this visit seriously.

On one hand, the farmers have expressed their displeasure about Sattar’s visit in the evening. On the other hand, there were talks of Sattar joining the ruling alliance after taking a bribe of Rs50 crore. Therefore, this visit of the Agriculture Minister has become a hot topic of discussion.

National anthem ‘disrespect’ case: Mamata moves HC

breach of privilege notice against him, Raut said, “The government is unconstitutional and those who are part of the committee have disqualification notice against them pending be fore the Supreme Court. Those who objected and complained against me are part of the panel, who are also my political opponents. This is against natural justice and parliamentary democracy.”

Raut in his letter to Narwekar said that he has been a Rajya Sabha MP and knows the importance of the Assembly, adding that his statements were directed towards only a specific group (Shinde camp) and not all MLAs.

Raut said he has the highest regard and respect for Maharashtra Legislature and will never make any comments which will affect the prestige of the Maharashtra Legislature.

Raut’s loyalties are with Sharad Pawar: Sena’s Dada Bhuse

First India Bureau

Mumbai: State minister Dada Bhuse on Tuesday claimed Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s loyalties lie with NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Bhuse said Raut became a Rajya Sabha MP on votes of “gaddars” (traitors)—the term Uddhav Thackeray ledShiv Sena faction uses to taunt Eknath Shinde and 39 rebel MLAs— and dared the parliamentarian to resign.

The government is unconstitutional and those who are part of the committee have disqualification notice against them pending before the Supreme Court. Those who objected and complained against me are part of the panel, who are also my political opponents. This is against natural justice and parliamentary democracy.

Bhuse is part of the Shiv Sena led by CM Shinde. The minister was referring to a tweet in which Raut alleged Bhuse collected shares worth Rs178.25 crore from farmers in the name of a company, but its website shows only Rs1.67 lakh shares against 47 members. Bhuse said he would quit politics if he is found guilty, but if the al-

Bhuse dared Raut to resign as the votes of ‘gaddars’—a UBT taunt for Shinde-group MLAs—had made him MP

legations are wrong then Raut should quit as Rajya Sabha MP and editor of Saamana.

Nationalist Congress Party leader and Leader of Opposition, Ajit Pawar, objected to Bhuse’s reference to his uncle and party chief Sharad Pawar, and demanded the remarks be expunged from the record.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday moved the Bombay High Court against a special court’s order which directed a magistrate to decide afresh a plea seeking that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered against her for allegedly disrespecting the national anthem.

A metropolitan magistrate’s court here had in March 2022 issued a summons to Banerjee on a complaint filed by local BJP functionary Vivekanand Gupta, who claimed that the WB CM had remained seated when the national anthem began during a function at the Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium here in December 2021. The complaint also says that Banerjee later stood up, and sang two verses,

FOCUSED ATTACKS?

Man attempts to extort `10 crore from Union Min Gadkari via call to his office

‘Jaggi’ was a two-time Maha Vir Chakra recipient. —FILE PHOTO

Air Force veteran Wing Cmdr JM Nath dies

Mumbai (PTI): Wing Commander Jag Mohan Nath (retd), the Indian Air Force veteran who flew numerous reconnaissance sorties over Tibet and Pakistan in his Canberra aircraft in the 1962 and 1965 wars, passed away in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The octogenarian, called “Jaggi” by his Air Force colleagues, was twice the recipient of

Maha Vir Chakra gallantry honour.

Six decades ago, when he leapt into his Canberra, a twin-engine jet bomber fitted with cameras, and flew into Pakistan on a top-secret mission, then Squadron Leader Jag Mohan Nath already had a Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him for his 1962 war operations. He won his second three years later.

First India Bureau Nagpur: Security was increased at Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s home and office in Nagpur on Tuesday after a man made three calls threatening to harm the senior BJP leader if Rs10 crore was not paid to him, a police official said.

The caller identified himself as one Jayesh Pujari, alias Jayesh Kantha, the same person whose name had been used to make similar calls to the minister’s office in January, he said.

Rahul Madane, Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone II), said three calls, two in the

morning and one around 12 noon, were made to Gadkari’s public relations office, opposite Orange City Hospital in Nagpur.

The person demanded Rs10 crore and threatened to harm the minister, who holds the portfolio of road transport and highways, if

the money was not paid, he said. After being alerted by Gadkari’s staff, the city police have started an investigation, he said. Security has been beefed up at the minister’s home and office, said the DCP.

On January 14, a man identifying himself as Pujari had made threat calls to Gadkari’s public relations office, demanding Rs100 crore. The caller claimed that he was a member of the Dawood Ibrahim gang.

Pujari, who is lodged in Hindalga jail in Karnataka’s Belagavi after being sentenced to death in a murder case, had denied his involvement in the calls.

but stopped abruptly and left the venue.

The West Bengal chief minister challenged the issuance of summons before a special court for cases against MPs and MLAs.

This past January, special judge RN Rokade set aside the summons on procedural grounds and asked the magistrate to consider Gupta’s complaint afresh.

Banerjee, in her plea before the high court, contended that the special court should have quashed the summons once and for all, and not remanded the case back to the magistrate. Her application is likely to be heard by a single judge of the high court on March 27.

Gupta’s contention is that Banerjee committed an offence under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

Man booked for circulating posts with references to Nitin Gadkari Nagpur: The cyber cell of Nagpur police has registered a case against a man for allegedly posting offensive comments on social media which had references to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. According to the police, the accused, Dattatray Joshi, made certain references to Gadkari in the posts circulated on WhatsApp. On learning about this, Gadkari's office, through Twitter, urged the cyber police to register a case. A representative of the senior BJP leader's office in Nagpur later filed a complaint with the police and demanded strict action against the person who circulated the posts. Accordingly, a case was registered under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.

‘Corrupt’ civic official to be stripped of addl charge: Min

An Assistant Municipal Commissioner in the Thane civic body, Mahesh Aher has also been accused of threatening the family of NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad

First India Bureau Mumbai: In the face of criticism from the Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Industries minister Uday Samant on Tuesday said civic official Mahesh

PHOTO

Aher would be stripped of his responsibilities until the inquiry against him is complete.

In addition to corruption, Aher—an Assistant Commissioner in the Thane Municipal Corporation—has been accused of threatening the family of NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad. Before

UBT legislator Anil Parab and Shashikant Shinde of the NCP claimed that the state had admitted to Aher’s involvement in corruption, but had not taken any action against him.

The silence over Aher’s claim that he can could call Chief Minister Eknath Shinde “any time” sparked doubts about the latter, Shinde said, adding that Aher had also hired expensive private bodyguards.

“There have been several complaints against Aher, including allegations that his degree certificate is fake. There should be a thorough investigation,” Parab said.

To this, Samant said, “Aher is holding some additional charges. His additional charges will be removed. The state government is carrying out various inquiries against him and those will continue.”

Sanjay Raut —FILE PHOTO

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee —FILE PHOTO

—Sanjay Raut, MP, Shiv Sena - UBT

Dada Bhuse —FILE PHOTO

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari with BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri during a visit to inspect the progress of the Urban Extension Road Project (UER-II), last week. —FILE PHOTO

Samant announced his removal in the House, Shiv Sena -

Uday Samant —FILE PHOTO

VIRAL AUDIO CASE

Facets of Fashion Dreams

The magnificent Fashion Connect presented by First India and Bharat24Vision of New India held at Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel Dubai on March 19 gave way to a fresh splash of fashion, leaving everyone in awe with astounding trends. City First highlights the outstanding collection of the highly acclaimed and multi-faceted designer Anju Modi, reviving age-old Indian crafts and textiles showcased at Fashion Connect Season 14!

KAVITA CHAUHAN cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, the crowned jewel of Dubai, hosted one of India’s premier single-day fashion events called Fashion Connect, season 14, Presented by First India News and Bharat24-Vision of New India on Sunday, March 19. Jagdeesh Chandra graced the magical evening and appreciated the designer, Anju Modi for her timeless collection designed with perfection and tailored to last. His Highness Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum was present as the Chief Guest and Yakoob Al Ali, Executive Director and Private Advisor in His Highness Office attended the show as the special guest. Asia’s most loved and India’s favourite fashion designer, Anju Modi, showcased her scintillating couture collection ‘Gul Bahaar’ at Fashion Connect- Season 14. While describing her beautiful collection, the designer said, “My new couture collection, ‘Gul Bahaar’ is inspired by the cyclic nature of life. It is a beautiful curation of elegant ensembles that are built upon

the strong foundations of traditional Indian craftsmanship and yet prove their relevance in the modern world.

The collection represents the beauty of metamorphosis in nature that occurs with seasonal shifts. I believe these changes also add sparks of creativity to our lives and we’ve tried to display those emotions artistically through our outfits. I am glad to showcase my collection at Fashion Connect in Dubai.”

Her work takes a more conscious, progressive & interactive approach with her love for textiles and the Indian craft serving as the main catalyst and foundation of her designing philosophy whilst continuing to push boundaries for a unique experience. Each dimension of Modi’s personality can be seen in her

body of work, which displays the passion and gentleness of an artist.

The 32-year-old la bel’s guiding prin ciples are Time less, Vintage & Handicraft with a deep influence from the found er’s passion for textiles and Indian crafts manship.

Anju Modi is best known for her work in the mov ies Ba jirao Mas tani &Ram Leela.

International models: Poppy, Mudit, Marie, Eva and Natalia showcasing designer collection by Anju Modi

Jagdeesh Chandra and Yakoob Al Ali with Anju Modi, Rishee Miglani and Lokesh Sharma during the show

FASHION & LUXURY PERSONIFIED

THE FIRST INDIA FASHION CONNECT SEASON 14, PRESENTED BY FIRST INDIA AND BHARAT24- VISION OF NEW INDIA, HELD AT OAKS IBN BATTUTA GATE HOTEL, DUBAI ON SUNDAY WAS A UNIQUE FUSION OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN COLLECTIONS WHICH CELEBRATED THE HERITAGE OF INDIA. BESIDES THIS, A RAVISHING MERGING OF THE CULTURES OF UAE AND INDIA WAS ALSO SEEN ON THE RAMP. DURING THE SHOW, LUXURY LIFESTYLE AWARDS 2023 WERE ALSO HELD, WHEREIN THE WHO’S WHO OF THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES WERE FELICITATED. CITY FIRST HIGHLIGHTS SOME MAGICAL GLIMPSES CAPTURED BY OUR SENIOR PHOTOJOURNALIST SANTOSH SHARMA!

CHAITRA NAVRATRI 2023 BEGINS!

CITY FIRST

As we gear up for Chaitra Navratri 2023, which is from March 22 to March 30 this year, you need to prioritise your health as well. The nine-day Hindu festival, which is dedicated to the nine avatars of Goddess Durga, is a time of fasting, prayers, and celebrations. While religious devotees fast for nine days, there are many who use this time for rejuvenation and healing. So, fasting may be seen by some as a process of detoxification. As you do fasting, your energy levels will go down. But you can stay energised during Navratri by following easy tips!

EAT SMALL AND FREQUENT MEALS

Most of the days, you must be eating three large meals. During Navratri, opt for five or six small meals throughout the day. This will help in maintaining blood sugar levels and avoid the feeling of lethargy.

As we mark the beginning of the auspicious 9 days, City First highlights 5 easy ways to stay energetic as you focus on fasting and celebrations!

STAY HYDRATED

As you do fasting, drink plenty of water and natural fruit juices to stay hydrated. It helps to detoxify the body and aids in digestion too, says the expert. Another healthy option is to drink coconut water, which can keep your body energised and active during fasting sessions.

CONSUME HIGH-PROTEIN FOODS

During Navratri, people generally avoid eating grains and pulses, which are foods high in protein. You can always make up for this by consuming protein-rich foods such as nuts, milk, yogurt and paneer.

EXERCISE REGULARLY Light exercises such as walking, yoga, or stretching help in improving blood circulation, reducing stress, and keeping you energised, says the expert.

DASARA HAS AN ADRENALINE RUSH TO IT: NANI

the audience is the emotion. And Dasara has enthralling emotion, every moment in the film is organic and will make everyone cheer. When I heard the story I transformed into that universe so have put in a lot of hard work for the audience to like it”

we have always thought that whenever we’ll do the second film it will be dif ferent. And we got Dasara. So it’s a very special film for us.”

PREFER BALANCED HEALTHY PRODUCTS

Fruits and vege tables are all good sources of fiber as well as vitamins, and minerals. So, go for bananas, apples, sweet potatoes, sabudana (tapioca), makhana (fox nuts), tomatoes, cabbage and capsicum while fasting during Navaratri.

Salman & Pooja’s Sizzling Chemistry

atural Star Nani’s upcoming film Dasara will be released soon. Going by the visuals of the trailer the film looks like a blood-soaked, intense story of one man’s uprising from a small village called Veerlapally, which is surrounded by piles of coal.

“Dasara” tells the tale of socio-economic conditions, political ambitions and power struggles set against the backdrop of the Singareni coal mines in India’s Telangana state. In an exclusive conversation with Ashish Tiwari of First India Nani Spoke about his experience and more.

When asked about what made him say yes to Dasara the actor shared, “Everything about the film excited me, the most important quality to impress

He added, “I have done many films in Telegu, and people have always welcomed and loved all my past work. Dasara is a theatrical release that’s coming after a long time. And its emotional value will connect to each and every one. The basic plot line is very strong so the audience from Pan India will relate to it.”

Speaking on how was his shooting experience he said, “There was no fun, the conditions that we shot in were very difficult so everything was extremely intense but when we saw the output was interesting. So all the efforts seemed worth it.”

Speaking on his camaraderie with his costar he said, “Keerthy is my close friend, our first film was a blockbuster and was successful pan India also. So

Aayush's grind behind a shirtless scene

Having recently wrapped the Azerbaijan shoot schedule of his upcoming film AS04, Aayush Sharma shared a throwback video of his last-minute grind to ace the perfect body shot physique to shoot a shirtless scene.

Aayush recently announced the wrap of his straining schedule packed with action in Azerbaijan, which also included a body shot flaunting his wash -

board abs and toned muscles. The actor shared a video presenting the grind needed minutes before the main shot, to define the abs and muscles more prominently.

With Pan India Movies getting love from all over the world Nani Shared, “It’s a very beautiful phase of Indian Cinema, where you just have to make good films and the entire na tion will sup port. So now the only mo tive for all the filmmak ers is to make good films audience will get entertained no matter what. I am very happy that now people are remaking our films which means we have man aged to entertain with our content."

Dasara is slated to hit the screens on March 30.

Keerthy distributes GOLD COINS

Keerthy Suresh is winning hearts from all across India for her kind gesture towards the unit members of her upcoming film Dasara. The actress is said to have distributed coins to the crew members of the film on the last day of the shoot. As per an update, Keerthy distributed 130 gold coins of 10 grams each. With each coin costing around Rs 50,000 to 55,000, the Mahanati actress spent close to rupees 70 lakhs to 75 lakhs in purchasing these coins as a token of appreciation for the crew.

A source said, "Keerthy was quite emotional on the last day of the shoot. She wanted to give away

something to the people who made her give her best. She gave 10 grams of coins to 130 people and made all of them happy."

The makers of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan released a new song from the film, on Tuesday. The USP of the song is that the actor himself has voiced this song and reunited with Amaal Malik after almost 8 years. Also, you cannot miss the cute chemistry between Pooja Hegde and the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor. The actor features in a new long hairstyle with half of his hair tied in a pony while the rest falls on his shoulders. Bhaijaan is seen romancing costar Pooja Hegde in a romantic setting and the two even perform a Matrix-like stunt by going for a free fall but stop short of touching the ground. Sharing the song teaser on Instagram, Salman wrote, “Fall in Love with ‘Falling in Love…. Jee Rahe The Hum out tomorrow.” It seems to have shot at a floral and antiques market and a scene also shows them dancing amid several chandeliers around them in a dimly lit room.

'Ja! Tujhe maaf kiya!'

On Monday, Anupam Kher attended the prayer gathering for his late friend and fellow actor Satish Kaushik. After the meeting, he posted a video and an emotional farewell message for Satish. He included the Tune

Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani from The Great Gambler in the background.Sharing a video of him showering rose petals on Satish's picture, Anupam wrote, “Ja! Tujhe maaf kiya! Mujhe

akela chhod kar jaane ke liye! I will surely

find you in people’s laughter! But will miss our friendship on a day-to-day basis! Alvida mere dost! Tera favourite gana lagaya hai background mein! Tu bhi kya yaad karega!

#SatishKaushik #Friend #Friendship #OmShanti.”

Nani Pooja Hegde Salman Khan

Anupam Kher

Keerthy Suresh

Aayush Sharma